Intraesophageal catheter with pH sensor

Abstract

An intraesophageal catheter comprising a tubular body, a pH sensor extending through the interior of the tubular body for pH measurement, and a balloon inflation pressure sensor communicating with the interior of the tubular body. The tubular body is comprised of clear polyvinyl chloride material and has a radiopaque stripe extending longitudinally along the tubular body. A plurality of circumferential gradations are marked on the tubular body. The pH sensor has a head portion fastened to the end of the tubular body and a conductor connected to and extending from the head portion to the other end of the tubular body. The head portion is comprised of a polycarbonate material having a smooth surface. The balloon inflation pressure sensor is a balloon that is positioned on the tubular body part from the head portion of the pH sensor. A balloon inflation channel extends through the interior of the tubular body and communicates with the balloon molded to the exterior surface of the tubular body.

I claim: 
     
       1. An intraesophageal catheter comprising: a tubular body with an open and closed end;   a pH sensor means extending through the interior of said tubular body for pH measurements;   a balloon molded to the exterior surface of said exterior body, said balloon comprised of latex material, said balloon having a length of approximately four centimeters and an inflated outer diameter of approximately 8.4 millimeters;   and a balloon inflation channel extending through the interior of said tubular body such that said balloon inflation channel pneumatically communicates with the interior of said balloon through a plurality of ports extending through said tubular body.   
     
     
       2. The catheter of claim 1, said balloon inflation channel being TEFLON lined, said balloon inflation channel having a female lure lock at the open end of said tubular body. 
     
     
       3. A method of measuring intraesophageal pH and air pressure comprising the steps of: inserting an intraesophageal catheter into the nose of a person, said intraesophageal catheter having a pH measurement head at the inserted end and a balloon inflation pressure sensor longitudinally displaced from said pH measurement head on said catheter;   moving said intraesophageal catheter into the esophagus proximal to the stomach of said person;   connecting said pH measurement head to an electric pH recorder exterior of said patient;   inflating said balloon inflation pressure sensor such that said balloon inflation pressure sensor expands and contracts with the respiratory effort of said person;   connecting said balloon inflation pressure sensor into a pneumatic pressure recorder exterior of said person; and   monitoring the pH and pressure measurements simultaneously during the sleep cycle of said person.